"If there isn't the smaller property with the special adaptations, if they need them, in their local community, it's very difficult to ask people to move."

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "We are giving councils £150m this year so that they can help their vulnerable residents and we are monitoring this spending closely to ensure support goes to those who need it.

"The spare room subsidy changes will bring fairness back to the system - when in England alone there are nearly two million households on the social housing waiting list and over a quarter of a million tenants are living in overcrowded homes."